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| Titel |
Bioturbation, ecosystem functioning and community structure |
| VerfasserIn |
C. L. Biles, D. M. Paterson, R. B. Ford, M. Solan, D. G. Raffaelli |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1027-5606
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ; 6, no. 6 ; Nr. 6, no. 6, S.999-1005 |
| Datensatznummer |
250003857
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/hess-6-999-2002.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| The effect of community
structure on the functioning of the ecosystem is an important issue in ecology
due to continuing global species loss. The influence of
infaunal community structure on the functioning of marine systems is proposed
here to act primarily through bioturbation of the
sediment. Nutrient concentration in the water column, generated by release from
the sediment, was used as a measure of ecosystem functioning.
In situ and laboratory experiments showed a significant difference in
nutrient concentrations with different species treatments. Bioturbation
profiles showing the incorporation of tracer particles also differed between
communities with different dominant species. The behavioural
differences between infaunal species, generating different modes and rates of
bioturbation, are therefore proposed to influence nutrient
release. The presence and quantity of bioturbating infauna also influenced the
amount of sediment suspended in the water column. The
increase in surface area available for microbial activity may generate an
increase in nutrient cycling. Abiotic influences on sediment structure, such as
flow, may have a similar effect on nutrient concentration. Annular flumes used
in both laboratory and in situ experiments to
generate flow conditions produced a significant increase in ammonia (NH4-N)
production in macrofaunal treatments. Flow may influence the
behaviour of macrofaunal species, causing changes in NH4-N production through
modifying bioturbation of the sediment.
Keywords: bioturbation, community structure, ccosystem functioning,
estuaries, flow, infauna |
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